OK I realize that this may seem like a really noobish question but can someone explain how processors are measured?? For instance I have always looked at the MHz as a way to determine the speed of the processor, and equated it to the speed of the computer, however I am begining to think that I have it all wrong. I am looking to buy a new (Well Used but new for me) Mac, I currently have an old G4 with a 733MHz Processor, I realize that is unbelievably slow and I can tell it's slow every day when I'm using it. I consider myself to be a power user as I am on my Mac for a minimum of 11 hours a day and have at least 4 programs running at all times WHILE I am downloading multiple files, and uploading files at the same time, and usually copying files from my desktop to my external hard drive. Let me just say that my Mac slows to a snails pace while doing all of this and frequently finder will freeze up with the beachball of death (I did however upgrade my RAM from 512 - 1.25 which has helped a little bit)!!! Anyway that is all besides the point, I am curious about Processors as I look at an iMac with a 1.85GHz Intel Core 2 Duo, and then an iMac with a 2.4GHz Intel Core 2 Duo and the prices are significantly different, so I always assumed that the higher the frequency the faster and more effiecient the processor is, and the faster the computer will run. "BUT" Looking at much older systems like this old Dell crappy laptop that I have laying around and it has a 2.4GHz Pentium 4 Processor, I don't understand because at my figuring wouldn't a 2.4 GHz Processor BLOW AWAY say a 1.85 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor?? If so then why is this old dell #1 VERY SLOW and also VERY CHEAP?? I am completely confused, I have started to spend so much time on my computer that I REALLY want to understand what is going on with them, Because I am in the market and I want to be able to make the most educated decision I can. PLEASE, any help will be greatly appreciated, Get Inked!!!